Parade will pass through O'Connell Street

This year's Dublin St Patrick's Day parade will after all pass through O'Connell Street, although viewing will be restricted, the organising committee has confirmed.

There had been fears that the highlight of the six-day festival would have to be rerouted because of the redevelopment of the street.

However, Ms Maria Moynihan, chief executive of the festival, said last night that an agreement had been reached with Dublin City Council which would allow the parade pass through the capital's main thoroughfare.

"There will be restricted viewing because of the building work in front of the GPO. It will be more difficult for crowds to move up and down the pathways, so there will be sections where the crowd will not be able to view the parade," she said.

People would be diverted up side streets at Abbey Street and North Earl Street, to travel along Marlborough Street rather than up and down O'Connell Street.

The parade will pass along the eastern carriageway, the Clerys side of the street, and just one of the 16 grandstands on the route will be in O'Connell Street, as compared with two in previous years.

The full festival programme, announced yesterday by the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, will run from Thursday, March 11th, until St Patrick's Day.

While the festival culminates in the parade, another high point will be a fireworks display on the Liffey quays. This year it takes place on Saturday, March 13th, at 8 p.m. with soundtrack created by DJs Johnny Moy and Leo Pearson.

Also popular will be the funfair, running from the 12th until the 15th, between noon and 11 p.m. in Merrion Square, and also between the 14th and 17th at Custom House Quay, also noon to 11 p.m.

A symposium at the Mansion House at 9 a.m. on Monday, the 15th, called "Talking Irish" will, organisers say, offer the chance to engage in "conversation about Irish identity and our values with distinguished business, social and cultural figures".

Other events include the hugely popular Céili Mór on the 17th and the Irish Visions art exhibitions in various galleries and shops throughout the city.

Full details of other events over the five days are available from the St Patrick's Festival Committee office at 01-6763205, or on www.stpatricksday.ie